Also referred to as fever blisters, cold sores are small and painful fluid-filled blisters that are usually found around the lips. Cold sores are very contagious and can be spread by mouth-to-mouth contact and to the genitals, causing genital herpes through oral sex.
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2

Really canker sores?:
Answered before on healthtap, canker sores are common aphthous ulcers of the surface of the mouth that occur situationally, often in response to stressors, are bacterial or viral, & can be treated topically w/many otc products that reduce local discomfort & potentially speed healing. However, a # of systemic diseases cause canker sore-like lesions--crohn's, behcet's, std (sexually transmitted).
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5

You can't:
There's no cure for hsv infection and the blisters may recur sporadically — often in response to stress or a weakened immune system. Antiviral medications can help cold sores heal more quickly and may reduce the frequency of recurrences.
Once you've had an episode of herpes infection, the virus lies dormant in nerve cells in your skin and may emerge again as an active infection.
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6

Yes:
An estimated 80% of americans have been exposed to herpes simplexvirus type 1. However, not all of those people will get cold sores. It depends on your immune system. Cold sores are painful liquid filled blisters that can occur on the lips, roof of the mouth or the gums which are caused by the herpes simplex virus (hsv-1). Tingling ;/or pain can herald the oncoming of cold sore 1 to 2 days prior.
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7

No:
Once someone has been infected with herpes more than a few months, the virus they is not transmitted to other body areas. Even with active cold sores, herpes is never transmitted to a person's own genital area. Don't worry about it.
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8

Direct Contact:
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplexvirus (hsv). They are typically transmitted through broken skin. Sometimes through kissing, sharing eating utensils or drinking cups, or other forms of touching another person's saliva.
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9

Possible:
Cold sore is cause by hsv i while genital herpes is usually caused by hsv ii. Could a cold sore cause genital herpes? It would be possible if the sore is actively shedding virus during oral sex. With cold sore, avoid contact until the lesion is healed over.
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10

Herpes Transmission:
Herpes simplexvirus (hsv) has two types: type i generally infects the mouth and produces "fever blisters". Type ii more commonly is genital. However, performing oral sex on someone infected with hsv i or ii can result in oral herpes. There are blood tests that can quickly determine if you've been infected with either strain. Antivirals help to reduce shedding and infection.
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11

No.:
Cold sores (or herpes) is a virus that is transmitted from person to person contact. Once a person has it, it never goes away, but the sores can heal. It can be reactivated by sunlight, stress, sickness (colds, flu). If a person has an infection and takes antibiotics for it, it may seem as though the antibiotics caused the cold sores, but the infection probably triggered reactivation.
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12

Yes:
Cold sores are caused by herpes simplexvirus type 1. Genital herpes is usually caused byhsv type 2. However, type 1 can be passed from a cold sore to the genital area through oral- genital sex. Type 1 genital infections are usually less severe than type 2 but are treated the same way.
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15

They can't be cured:
Both are caused by a virus that lives on nerves and are self limiting to about 14 days. There are treatments to shorten the duration of the outbreaks and limit the pain, but certain stimuli will cause these outbreaks to reoccur from time to time.
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18

No:
Cold weather may increase your chances of contracting the flu. Cold air may drive people to stay indoors and thus increasing your chance of coming into contact with the virus. Also, cold air may lowe your body temperature thus weakening your immune system. Cold air may also "stun" your airways and make one more succeptable to influenza.
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20

Yes:
Yes, classic lesions are blisters, but I have seen it cause anything from rashes to bullae (large fluid-filled blisters). However, it is important to evaluate other causes of rash and not just assuming it would be hsv, as it would be an atypical presentation.
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